Discovery Museum and Raytheon Celebrate Military Appreciation Program 10th Anniversary

ACTON, MA – Discovery Museum and Raytheon are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the museum’s Military Appreciation Program, which provides free museum admission for active duty military members and their families, and free school Field Trips to fourth and fifth grade classes from Hanscom Air Force Base. Raytheon has partnered with the Museum to underwrite the program since it began in 2010.

Nearly 25,500 people have visited the Museum for free through the program, including more than 24,600 active duty military members and their families and more than 830 Hanscom Middle School students, teachers, and chaperones. Attendance through the program has steadily increased, with more than 4,500 visiting for free in 2018.

“We are very grateful for the real sacrifices our active duty military families make on behalf of our country each day, and free admission to the Museum is a small way to say thank you on behalf of our community,” said CEO Neil Gordon. “Raytheon has supported the Museum since 1983 to help bring hands-on science and engineering to the community. Their support for the Military Appreciation Program has made it a reality.”

“Supporting active duty military families including the Hanscom Air Force Base community is one of our top priorities,” said Samantha Sullivan, Community Relations Manager for Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business. “Providing students and families access to all that the Discovery Museum has to offer at no cost allows them to focus more on growing and making family memories.”  

The Military Appreciation Program offers United States Armed Forces Active duty military personnel or family members free admission for up to four people, September through mid-May; the total number admitted increases to six people between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day, in keeping with the national Blue Star Museum program.

Museum and Raytheon representatives celebrated the milestone along with fourth graders from Hanscom Air Force Base during a recent Field Trip.

###

Approved for Public Release - This document does not contain technology or technical data controlled under either the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the U.S. Export Administration Regulations.